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My public sitting on December 2012

Hi everyone!

This past December I was invited to hold a public sitting at a meditation and yoga place in Mexico City. The session was oriented to introduce people to meditation practice and to help people in danger of falling into depression or drugs.

I was invited by a Dharma Punx group who follows Noah Levine's teachings.

It was two days for separate groups. We planned the sessions to have a small introduction talk, 10 minutes zazen, two 20/30 minutes talks (one by me and one by my friend) and 20 minutes zazen.

The place was very small, so it was a very nice and intimate experience.

Since the zazen sessions were intended for beginners, I had to guide the group a little into following the breath and to let thoughts flow.

My talk was about practicing generosity and how that helps to combat depression and sadness. Nothing too complex, I think. My plan was to talk for only 20 or 30 minutes so people wouldn't get bored, but it took a little more than an hour because people participated a lot!

It was a very good experience and I made a lot of new friends.

Here are some photos of day 2:

The Buddha and the bell.

Ugly Kyonin talking.

Juan Carlos, little Ian and Shupet, the dog! By the way, Juan Carlos was a member for a few days here at Treeleaf, but never came back. His user name was KidBuda.

Some of the attendants.

At the end, I think people had a good time and my friends liked what I did. They are already planning a new event soon. I'll let you know.

Gassho,

Kyonin

Please remember I am only a priest in training. I could be wrong in everything I say. Slap me if needed.

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. Mr. Spock

Thats fantastic Kyonin! Do you have a transcript of your talk? I would love to read it.

Gassho, Shawn Jakudo Hinton
It all begins when we say, “I”. Everything that follows is illusion.
"Even to speak the word Buddha is dragging in the mud soaking wet; Even to say the word Zen is a total embarrassment."
寂道

Thats fantastic Kyonin! Do you have a transcript of your talk? I would love to read it.

Hi Shawn,

No, I don't have a transcript. All I did was a bullet list of the things I'd say and elaborated from there. I think there will be a video up soon. If that's so, I'll work some English subtitles so I can post it here.

I'll let you know.

Gassho,

Kyonin

Please remember I am only a priest in training. I could be wrong in everything I say. Slap me if needed.

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. Mr. Spock

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa

I would love to see more folks with some sitting experience to organize some informal sitting groups in their local communities.

Gassho, J

I never really thought of doing this, but an opportunity presented itself the other day. I teach at a university and another faculty has done some meditation/mindfulness exercises with her art classes. This semester we are working together for some students doing a service learning project. She mentioned that it would be nice to work in some the the exercises she has done with her other students and I mentioned zazen might be an activity I could discuss a bit and give students some exposure.

Glad I read this tread. Other than my immediate family, I typically don't think of sharing....other than telling people about Treeleaf and telling them to watch the videos.

I would love to see more folks with some sitting experience to organize some informal sitting groups in their local communities.

Gassho, J

I am starting an informal sitting group in my hometown later this month - it is a very small group. Where I would like to see this migrate eventually is into the local Hunger Prevention Program where I volunteer. I'd love to see a sitting group open to members of the community who come in to avail themselves of the center's services. In good time....

I am starting an informal sitting group in my hometown later this month - it is a very small group. Where I would like to see this migrate eventually is into the local Hunger Prevention Program where I volunteer. I'd love to see a sitting group open to members of the community who come in to avail themselves of the center's services. In good time....

Deep bows
Yugen

Love it Yugen! I too have been talking with a friend of mine who sits (20yrs rinzai) and she is interested in having a open sit for anyone to join in. Best of luck.

Gassho
Shingen/Michael

RINDO SHINGEN
倫道 真現

As a trainee priest, please take any commentary by me on matters of the Dharma with a pinch of salt.